Portland State rushes state stimulus projects

Although Portland State University had bigger and more expensive projects than other agencies included in the state’s stimulus package, the university had the same time constraint – get people working as soon as possible. Two months after the stimulus bill became law, Portland State has every project under contract.

Gov. Ted Kulongoski signed the $175 million stimulus package on Feb. 5. One in six dollars from that package go to Portland State projects, worth around $29 million.

All those projects had general contractors by April 1. Some are under construction; others are looking for subcontractors and suppliers.

“We were very proud,” said Robyn Pierce, Portland State’s director of facilities and planning. “We were the one public university to get this all under contract.”

At $17.5 million, the campus steam loop system is the university’s biggest project. Around $10 million of that amount is in low-interest loans. Portland-based Fortis Construction won that contract.

The project will build a loop system for heating and cooling university buildings. Steam or chilled water will circulate through ceiling panels to heat or cool as needed.

“It’s an efficient way of getting steam heat and cooling to buildings,” Pierce said.

Currently, the campus’ steam system is shaped like a C, Pierce said. The project would close that loop to make the system more reliable.

“If one building should fail, if a pipe breaks, we can run the system in the opposite direction.”

The new, efficient system, combined with replacement of old equipment and standalone systems, will save energy and money, Pierce said. Each year, Portland State will save $464,000 and cut its carbon emissions by 2,235 tons.

“As costs continue to escalate for these services, it’s nice to roll that dial back and find some efficiencies,” Pierce said.

Construction is under way at Lincoln Hall, where Howard S. Wright was already working on a remodel. The stimulus package added $1.5 million to that remodel.

Howard S. Wright also received contracts for restroom upgrades in Neuberger and Cramer halls and seismic upgrades to university sky bridges.

Hoffman Construction won the Science Building Two improvement contract. Andersen Construction won the contract for Cramer Hall corridor improvements, including ceiling replacement and a new lighting system.

Lease Crutcher Lewis will head up two projects: classroom upgrades for Cramer Hall, and corridor and accessibility improvements to Neuberger Hall.

LCG Pence is under contract for restroom upgrades in Millar Library and Science Building One. P&C Construction is modernizing the art building and improving its accessibility.

“What we’re trying to do with all of these projects is create a better environment for the students,” Pierce said, “including accessibility, making them more attractive, and removing asbestos and other hazardous materials.”